Preparing New Students for Legal Practice in a 'Flat World'

Abstract

I went to a law school (Columbia University) specifically because of their international program and became involved with almost all aspects of that program -- which they called “transnational law.” I also did graduate work in International Affairs and Law. I was, and am, committed to incorporating transnational law concepts into the law school program. And I have had administrative responsibilities that have made me take a pragmatic approach to reaching that goal.

During this workshop, we have heard many ideas about bringing transnational law and issues into the first year curriculum. We have heard descriptions of the actions of individual faculty members, and administrators of law schools with adequate resources to promote that integration. This is a narrative about “Globalization for the Rest of Us.”

Keywords: international law, preparing law students, practice of law, flat world

JEL Classification: K10, K33